The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1887-07-04
MISSIONARY LIFE.
Its Romance Illustrated by the Success
Faithful Young Preacher.

MISSIONARY LIFE.
Its Romance Ilus.rated by the Success of
Faithful Young Preacher.
Romance is not all confined to the
past, or to strange countries. Some of
the most peculiar experiences possible
to man have been those of missionaries
to the American Indians, so recently
that the workers who survived the
hardships and dangers of those days
are stu in the prime of their useful
ness. One of these missionaries took
up his York when he was just past his
seminary days, and was assigned to
tribe of Sioux who were peculiarly wild,
and singularly welded to their savage
customs. Fresh from his studies, and
full of hope and zeal, the young mis-
sionary proceeded on his way On
quitting the fort which was nearest his
post of duty, the gates of the stockade
were opened to let him depart by men
who babe him goodbye as they might
bid adieu to one already dead. But the
missionary drove his wagon ten miles
over the wild country, and began to
build his house in the very center of one
moved by some inexplicable feeling, of
fered to help him. He raised a little
hut, made some furniture, stuffed a
mattress, and prepared to do his own
cooking, all these things being quit"
new work for him. Meanwhilea1Hsa~
an object of curiosity to these
2 peigehhb56ors, who might, at any mon
'be moved to Bury tomahawk i'm L III
brain m
He had no books, but only stencilt r.
charts of letters which he made himself
and with these he set up school HE
had, of course, made himself acquainted
with the Sioux dialect, and he contrived,
by little gifts, to gather in children and
grown people. They liked the hymns
and learned them rapidly, and some.
took an interest in reading; but it was
not uncommon for a number of wild
savages to.rush in and clear the school
out
However, the missionary made
friends, and at last built more sub
stantial wooden structure, with bed
rooms for scholars who should dwell
in the house, and about this time mar
ried wife who came bravely out from
her Eastern home to help him.
If you fancy that the place was quiet
and solitary all this while, you are mis-
taken. In their camp-life the Sioux were
seldom quiet, except when sleeping.
Night and day there was noise, tumult,
agitation, and the missionary worked as
carpenter and painter, school-teacher
and preacher through it all.
Other white men and women were
added to the mission. A boarding
school was under way, but when clothed
in Christian fashion, provided with
books, and apparently well satisfied
with their condition, some outside in
fuence would be brought to bear upon
the scholars, and away they would go,
books and clothes and all. The great
est prejudice was against teaching
the girls any thing, and when
the scruples of few of them were
overcome, others resented it. At one
time an attack was made upon the mis-
sion, two of the teachers murdered, and
the missionary and his wife were
obliged to flee, with their baby, for
their lives. They remained for some
time in the shelter of the fort, but at
last returned to the mission. The
school was resumed, and this time some
old and venerated chiefs took part with
the missionary. One saved him from
being murdered by an old squaw, and
another helped him to drive forth
number Of the scum of the camp who
were at their old work of clearing out
the school. When the Indians became
friendly, so many of them came to dine
with the missionary at once that the
provisions of the mission were pre-
maturely devoured. Indians expect
unlimited hospitality from all friends.
Fidally, the missionary and his as
sistants became great favorites amongst
the Indians, who were willing at last to
be taught to farm; and row well-tilled
fields, good log houses, fences, barns,
ETC., are seer in every direction. Many
of the Sioux read and write, and the
men have generally given up polygamy.
They go to church, send their children
to school, and for the most part behave
well in the neighborhood of the mission.
There are missions, however, where
life is as exciting and full of danger as
it was in the beginning at the one we
have described. The American Indian
is, no doubt, the most difficult savage
under the sun to ciyiiiZe-N Y Ied0er |